Aegean holds the aces

Morning everyone, Ladies' Day proved to be a superb occasion with the victory of Yeats (advised at 9/4) in the Ascot Gold Cup.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh gave the eight-year-old a sublime ride and there was never an anxious moments from the time the stall gates opened.

Making history the Adian O'Brien inmate registered his fourth win in the race and his army of followers backed him as if defeat was out of the question throughout the day - eventually being sent off the 6/4 favourite.

Unfortunately even-money chance Freemantle (advised 11/8) didn't follow the script and finished out of the money.

However, another mouth-watering card awaits and it is hard to get away from the chances of Aegean (Royal Ascot 2.30pm) in the Albany Stakes. I'm going to have £50 win at 2/1.

In a trappy looking Coronation Cup (Royal Ascot 3.45pm) I'm going to put my faith in Elusive Wave.

A general 11/4 chance, I'll have £20 win at the price.    

Good luck if you're going to have a bet today, don't forget to send in your selections and your highs and lows of the meeting.

All-time record: Bets 114; Winners 33; Losers 80; Non-runners 1; Profit £767.93.

Roar home Yeats to strike gold

Morning everyone, another disappointing day for the column on the second day of Royal Ascot, but it's Ladies Day today and when things go wrong I believe you need to go back to basics.

Therefore I'm pinning my hopes on the master of Ballydole - step forward Adian O'Brien and jockey Johnny Murtagh.

I'm going to have £40 win on Yeats (Royal Ascot 3.05pm) at 9/4. Then follow that up with another £40 win on Freemantle (Royal Ascot 4.55pm) at 11/8.

Discount Yeats' first run of the season at Navan, this is the one that matters and watch the eight-year-old make history and edge ahead of fellow-three-time winner Sagaro (75, 76 and 77). I expect Patkai to chase home Yeats, with Geordieland out with the washing...

I also must mention Ffos Las and wish everyone associated wiuth the racecourse well as it hosts its first ever meeting.

Surely a tip in itself is horse number 1 Ffos Las Diamond (Ffos Las 6.20pm) - trained by Nicky Henderson with the champ AP McCoy aboard.

Good luck if you're having a bet day,  as always let me know your thoughts on today's racing.

All-time record: Bets 112; Winners 32; Losers 79; Non-runners 1; Profit £762.93.

Royal Ascot day two betting tips

Good morning all. Not a great start to this week's five-day extravaganza. Godolphin's Gladiatorus was a huge disappointment, while Delegator and Fleeting Spirit just missed out. Things can only get better.

Starter: Windsor Forest Stakes (3.05pm) - Multiple Group One winner Lush Lashes, who triumphed at the Coronation Stakes last year, is my pick for this Group 2 contest. Not great odds at 13/8, and although I think Heaven Sent will push, I can't see Lashes losing this. I'll have a £20 win.

Main course: Prince of Wales's Stakes (3.45pm) - I'm going French for my main today. Never On Sunday, who landed the Group 1 at Longchamp last month and comes from the astounding Jean-Claude Rouget stable, is worth a punt at 4/1. Another £10 win.

Dessert: The Royal Hunt Cup (4.20pm) - This is a hugely competitive menu. Forgotten Voice could be the safest choice but I'm going to plump for 40/1 outsider Final Verse. He's on good form and ran and an impressive second behind Ace Of Hearts at Newmarket earlier this season. I'll have £10 each-way.

Placing a bet today? How did you get on yesterday? Feel free to share your thoughts and tips in the boxes below.

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All-time record: Bets 109; Winners 32; Losers 76; Non-runners 1; Profit £812.93.

Royal Ascot betting tips

Excited? A Royal feast of racing kicks off today and I'll be here to act as your racing connoisseur over the next five days.

Starter: The Queen Anne Stakes (2.30pm) - Fireworks are expected in today's opening race and I can't see anybody beating Gladiatorus who destroyed his rivals in the Dubai Duty Free at Nad al Sheba.

Set to make his British debut, Gladiatorus could be a potential superstar for Godolphin who have been successful seven times in this Group 1 since 1996. A no-brainer to me so snap him up at 5/2 where I'll have a £30 win.

Main course: St James's Palace Stakes (3.45pm) - Get behind Brian Meehan's Delegator who did nothing wrong in the Guineas at Newmarket, beaten only by outstanding champion Sea The Stars. He could upset Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mastercraftsman and so I'll have a £10 win at 9/2.

Dessert: King's Stand Stakes (3.05pm) - If you're feeling greedy, then Fleeting Spirit could be your best bet. If the rain stays away, then I fancy her to improve on last year's third place. Another £10 win at 9/2 for me which will hopefully leave your wallet feeling full.

Good luck with your betting and feel free to share your tips in the boxes below.

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All-time record: Bets 106; Winners 32; Losers 73; Non-runners 1; Profit £862.93.

Black Bear to roar home

Morning everyone. Today's main attraction is the Investec Oaks at Epsom (4.05pm) and I reckon Sariska can provide Michael Bell with his second Classic.

She's set to start favourite after an impressive warm-up win at York in the Musidora Stakes and should handle the track well. I'll be having a £20 win at 3/1 although watch out for Aidan O'Brien's Perfect Truth who could provide the biggest threat.

As for tomorrow's Derby (3.45pm), Sea The Stars, a splendid winner of the 2000 Guineas, heads the market at 5/2 but I'm leaning towards the in-form Black Bear Island (pictured) at 7/1.

Bear, among six entries for O'Brien, proved his stamina at York last month after a late swoop landed the Dante and the extra distance should benefit him with champion jockey Ryan Moore on the saddle.

I'll have £10 each-way at 7/1. Good luck with your betting this weekend and feel free to share your tips in the boxes below.

All-time record: Bets 104; Winners 31; Losers 72; Non-runners 1; Profit £822.93.

Mon Mome provides Grand National shock

Morning everyone, if you backed Mon Mome to win the Grand National I take hat my hat off to you.

At 100/1 the Venetia Williams-trained nine-year-old (Pictured below) ran out a convincing winner of the Aintree marathon.

Last year's winner Comply or Die (tipped here each-way at 16/1) ran a brave race to finish second, while My Will and State of Play finished third and fourth respectively. So overall we finished level for the race.

My other two selections L'Ami (pulled-up before the final fence) and Musica Bella (fell at the 12th) didn't really give followers much of a shout.

Good luck with your betting, I'll be back for plenty more bets duirng the coming weekends.

All-time record: Bets 104; Winners 31; Losers 72; Non-runners 1; Profit £822.93.

L'Ami set for National glory?

Morning everyone, hope you've all backed a winner or two since Cheltenham.

Everything now revolves around the Aintree Grand National (Saturday 4 April 4.15pm) and the race which continues to be rightly crowned the world's greatest steeplechase - although the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic gives it a real run for its money.

It's true to say it is still the race which captures the general public's imagination with everyone desperate to say that they backed the winner of the Grand National.

Over the years it has been quite a lucky race for me and we'll be looking to follow-up last year's success of tipping the winner (Comply Or Die).

In an open looking race, I really can't fancy the current favourite My Will, nor Butler's Cabin (sorry AP), who might well end up favourite by the time the tapes go up on Saturday. I've also put a line through other leading fancies State of Play, Black Apalachi and Rambling Minster.

So you're asking what do we fancy!

For what it is worth I expect David Pipe's Comply Or Die to again run a big race and can see Timmy Murphy's mount finishing in the first four. I'll have £10-each way at 16/1. Out of form so far this season, last year's winner ran a very decent race last time out at Cheltenham and could be back to something like its best.

Next is L'Ami, the Enda Bolger-trained raider will give followers a great run for their money. At 25/1 it is a great bet and with Robert Thornton in the saddle I'll have another £10 each-way. Despite falling in the race last year, a move to a new yard will give this 10-year-old a real squeak and expect a much better jumping performance.

Musica Bella is my final each-way choice in the Grand National. This nine-year-old French raider from the Francois-Marie Cottin yard could cause a shock at 100/1, I'll take that price and have £5 each-way. Don't be surprised to be cheering on Phillip Carberry in the closing stages. The hugely under-estimated trainer-jockey combination have won Le Grand Steeplechase de Paris (at Auteuil) twice and might strike gold at Aintree at a huge price.

Good luck and enjoy the race and make sure you back your selection on Friday if possible, because the odds for most of the runners will shorten on Saturday morning.

Orange's Grand National preview >>>

All-time record: Bets 101; Winners 30; Losers 70; Non-runners 1; Profit £822.93.

Kauto shines like a true Star

Afternoon folks, hope you've enjoyed the blog it's been fun and shown glimmers of a profit along the way.

You'd have to say the highlight of the Festival was the way in which Kauto Star regained his crown today. A breathtaking display and the first horse in the race's history to win back the Cheletnham Gold Cup.

Betting-wise a small profit over the week should about buy a drink (£22.50).

Go Native (12/1), Cooldine (4/1) and Walkon (5/1 [each-way]) were our winning selections.

We'll be back for Aintree. Don't forget to post your lucky/unlucky stories.  

Cheltenham 2009 record: Bets 13; Winners 3; Losers 10; Non-runners 0; Profit £22.50.

All-time record: Bets 101; Winners 30; Losers 70; Non-runners 1; Profit £822.93.

Air Force One to shine

Morning everyone, I've dusted myself down and I'm ready to do battle on Cheltenham Gold Cup day.

Kasbah Bliss was a major disapointment in the World Hurdle with Big Bucks proving to be a very impressive winner.

Today is all about the Gold Cup (3.20pm), firstly, I don't believe any of Paul Nicholls' trio (Denman, Kauto Star or Neptune Collonges) will win. Secondly, I don't think we'll have a Royal winner (Barbers Shop). Thirdly, make sure you back Air Force One (25/1). I'll have £10 each-way on the Charlie Mann-trained seven-year-old (pictured below).

In the opener - the Triumph Hurdle(1.30pm) - I've selected Alan King's Walkon (5/1) again I'll be backing the four-year-old to finish in the frame, I'll have £10 each-way.

In the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle (2.40pm) Alpha Ridge (8/1) is my choice. The Paul Nolan runner looks a solid each-way bet, I'll have £10 each-way.

In the Foxhunter Chase Challenge Cup (4pm) I've put my faith in trainer Noel Chance, his runner Murphy's Cardinal has won both starts this season and has Nina Carberry in the saddle. The 18/1 on offer is too tempting and I'll have £10 each-way.

Good luck, enjoy the final day of another wonderful Festival and let me know your selections.

Cheltenham 2009 record: Bets 9; Winners 2; Losers 7 Non-runners 0; Profit £80.

All-time record: Bets 97; Winners 29; Losers 67; Non-runners 1; Profit £880.43.

Allez allez Kasbah

Morning everyone, today is all about the World Hurdle (3.20pm) and Kasbah Bliss.

The Francois Douman-trained seven-year-old has developed into a classy individual and should have far too much speed for his rivals.

Take the 6/5 this morning because it will be trading at a touch of odds-on come the race itself. I'm have £100 win at the price.

Good luck if you're going racing to the Festival or if you're planning a day trip to Prestbury Park on Friday. Don't forget to send in your selections for today.

Cheltenham 2009 record: Bets 8; Winners 2; Losers 6 Non-runners 0; Profit £180

All-time record: Bets 96; Winners 29; Losers 66; Non-runners 1; Profit £980.43.